Richard "Tom" T. Crane, Jr.

Richard Thomas “Tom” Crane Jr., 85, of Litchfield, passed away on Sun., Sept. 19, 2021 at 10:37 p.m. at Hillsboro Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Hillsboro.  Tom was born on Dec. 5, 1935, in Mt. Sterling, IL, a son of Richard Thomas and Monta Mildred (Henrichs) Crane, Sr.  Tom graduated from Litchfield Community High School with the Class of 1954.  He then attended one year of college at DePauw University in Green Castle, IN.  Tom later transferred to Southern Illinois University – Carbondale for the remaining three years.  He graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Botany.  Tom married the former Sarajoan “Sally” Pence on March 24, 1957 in Litchfield at the Old House of Sunshine on North State Street.  Following college, Tom worked for several years at the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.  He later entered the Insurance field until his retirement.  Tom was a member of Union Avenue Christian Church in Litchfield where he served in a number of positions over the years.  He was Past Master of Masonic Lodge #23 F & AM, a member of the Scottish Rite & York Rite; all in Indianapolis, IN.  He enjoyed traveling to Germany and throughout the U.S. including Hawaii; and buying / collecting antiques through local antique malls.  In addition to his wife Sally, Tom is survived by:

1 son, Sgt. Major (SGM) U.S. Army Retired, Richard Thomas (Thalia) Crane, III of Lamia, Greece

3 daughters, Laurie Knutson of St. Paul, MN

                      Sheryl (Michael) George of Peoria, AZ

                      Susan (John) Byrd of Bloomington, IN

1 sister, Judith Ann “Judy” Chrysanthus of Avon Park, FL

10 grandchildren, Peyton (Dustin) Coar; Toryn (Tim) Hickam; Finnegan Byrd; Eric (Rei Liou) Knutson; Ryan (Mandy) Knutson; Emily (Tyler) Thorpe; Richard Thomas Crane IV (fiancée, Nadine Bittel); Steven Crane; Christopher George; Philip George

9 great-grandchildren, Hadley & Emery Coar; Hadley & Soren Knutson; Mitchell & Elliott Thorpe; Channing & Charleen Crane; Mila Crane

Tom was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial services will be held Wed., Sept. 29, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Union Avenue Christian Church in Litchfield.  Rev. Cassie Sexton-Riggs of UACC will officiate.  Private entombment will be in the Henrichs Family Mausoleum at Elmwood Cemetery in Litchfield.  Visitation will be held Wed. from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at the church.  Memorials may be designated to Union Avenue Christian Church in Litchfield.  

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